An aircraft-based display system providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for display of terminal charts further displays an enroute selector for engagement to select and display enroute charts. Engagement with the enroute selector brings up an enroute menu for selecting for display enroute charts associated with the ownship position or previously selected enroute charts; selection of an enroute chart 1) makes the selected chart the new active enroute chart and 2) displays the enroute chart. Each chart in the enroute menu includes a play button; engagement with the play button brings up an enroute selector GUI allowing selection of an enroute region and chart type. The enroute selector GUI displays all available enroute charts for a selected region and chart type, allowing the selection and display of the desired enroute chart in graphical as well as textual format.
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2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display within the GUI an ownship position relative to the visual graphic display.
A display system for aviation or navigation applications provides a graphical user interface (GUI) with a visual graphic display representing terrain, obstacles, or other relevant spatial data. The system includes a display unit that presents an ownship position indicator within the GUI, showing the current location of the aircraft or vehicle relative to the visual graphic display. This allows the operator to monitor their position in real-time against the surrounding environment. The display unit may include a screen or projection system capable of rendering the GUI and ownship position indicator with sufficient clarity and accuracy for navigation purposes. The system may also incorporate sensors or data inputs to update the ownship position dynamically as the vehicle moves. The visual graphic display may include top-down, perspective, or 3D views of the terrain, with the ownship position indicator positioned accurately within this representation. The system enhances situational awareness by providing a clear, integrated view of the vehicle's location relative to its surroundings, reducing the risk of spatial disorientation or navigation errors. The display unit may also support additional features such as waypoint markers, flight paths, or collision avoidance alerts to further assist the operator.
3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display within the GUI an indicator that an ownship position relative to the visual graphic display cannot be displayed.
A display system for aviation or navigation applications provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes a visual graphic display representing terrain, obstacles, or other relevant spatial data. The system includes a display unit that presents this information to a user, such as a pilot or operator, to aid in navigation and situational awareness. A key feature of the system is its ability to indicate when the ownship's position (the position of the user's own vehicle or aircraft) cannot be accurately displayed relative to the visual graphic display. This may occur due to sensor failures, data unavailability, or other system malfunctions. The display unit is configured to show an indicator within the GUI to alert the user when this condition arises, ensuring they are aware of the lack of positional data and can take appropriate action. The system may also include processing circuitry to determine the ownship position and assess whether it can be reliably displayed. The indicator may be a visual alert, such as a warning symbol or message, that appears on the display to inform the user of the issue. This feature enhances safety by preventing reliance on potentially inaccurate or missing positional information.
5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one enroute chart is a candidate enroute chart and the displayed enroute menu comprises at least one current position enroute chart corresponding to a current position of the ownship.
This invention relates to an aviation display system designed to enhance situational awareness for pilots by providing dynamic enroute chart navigation. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently displaying relevant enroute charts during flight, particularly when the aircraft's position changes, to ensure pilots have immediate access to the most pertinent navigation information. The display system includes a processor and a display device that presents an enroute menu containing multiple enroute charts. These charts are categorized as either candidate enroute charts or current position enroute charts. The candidate enroute charts represent potential navigation routes or areas that may be relevant to the flight path, while the current position enroute charts correspond directly to the aircraft's (ownship's) real-time location. The system dynamically updates the displayed enroute menu to include the current position enroute chart, ensuring pilots always have access to the chart that matches their exact location. This dynamic adjustment helps reduce cognitive load by minimizing the need for manual chart selection and improving navigation accuracy. The system may also include additional features such as route planning, terrain mapping, and weather overlays to further assist pilots in making informed decisions during flight.
6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the enroute menu includes at least one indicator of a current position active panel associated with each current position enroute chart, the current position active panel corresponding to the current position of the ownship.
This invention relates to an aviation display system designed to enhance situational awareness for pilots by providing dynamic enroute navigation charts. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently presenting complex flight path information in a clear and intuitive manner, particularly during enroute flight phases. The display system generates enroute menus that include indicators showing the current position of the aircraft (ownship) on each enroute chart. These indicators highlight the active panel corresponding to the aircraft's real-time location, ensuring pilots can quickly identify their position relative to the planned route. The system dynamically updates these indicators as the aircraft progresses along its flight path, maintaining accurate positional context. This feature helps pilots monitor progress, anticipate upcoming waypoints, and make informed navigation decisions. The display system integrates with onboard navigation databases and flight management systems to provide real-time, context-aware chart updates. By emphasizing the current position within the enroute menu, the invention reduces cognitive load and improves flight safety by minimizing the need for manual chart interpretation. The solution is particularly valuable in environments where rapid situational assessment is critical, such as during instrument flight or in high-traffic airspace.
13. The display system of claim 12, wherein the display unit includes a touchscreen surface configured for accepting the control input.
A display system is designed to enhance user interaction with electronic devices by integrating a touchscreen surface into the display unit. The system addresses the need for seamless and intuitive control of displayed content, particularly in applications requiring precise input, such as graphical interfaces, multimedia playback, or interactive applications. The touchscreen surface is configured to accept control inputs directly from a user, eliminating the need for separate input devices like keyboards or mice. This integration improves usability by reducing physical clutter and streamlining the interaction process. The touchscreen surface may employ capacitive, resistive, or other sensing technologies to detect touch gestures, such as taps, swipes, or multi-touch inputs, which are then processed to generate corresponding control signals. The system ensures responsiveness and accuracy, allowing users to navigate menus, select options, or manipulate on-screen elements efficiently. By combining the display and input functions into a single unit, the system enhances portability and convenience, making it suitable for devices like smartphones, tablets, and interactive kiosks. The touchscreen surface may also support haptic feedback to provide tactile confirmation of user inputs, further improving the user experience. This design optimizes space utilization and simplifies device design while maintaining high performance and reliability.
14. The display system of claim 1, wherein the selection list includes one or more scroll controls and a cursor configured for selection of the active enroute chart.
A display system for aviation applications provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for selecting and displaying enroute charts. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently navigating and selecting charts in flight management systems, where pilots need quick access to relevant navigation data. The GUI includes a selection list that presents multiple enroute charts, allowing pilots to choose the active chart for display. The selection list incorporates scroll controls to navigate through available charts and a cursor for selecting the desired chart. This ensures that pilots can easily access and view the necessary navigation information during flight operations. The system enhances situational awareness by providing a streamlined interface for chart selection, reducing the time and effort required to locate and display critical flight data. The scroll controls and cursor functionality enable intuitive interaction, ensuring that the system remains user-friendly and efficient in dynamic flight environments.
15. The display system of claim 1, wherein the enroute selection menu includes an indicator corresponding to a currency of the displayed active enroute chart.
The display system is designed for aviation navigation, specifically for presenting enroute charts to pilots. A key challenge in aviation is ensuring pilots can quickly access and interpret critical flight information, including currency status, to maintain situational awareness and comply with regulatory requirements. The system addresses this by providing an enroute selection menu that includes an indicator showing the currency of the displayed active enroute chart. This indicator helps pilots verify whether the chart is up-to-date, reducing the risk of using outdated navigation data. The system may also include features such as a display screen for presenting the enroute chart, a user interface for selecting different charts, and a processing unit to manage chart data and currency information. The currency indicator ensures pilots can easily confirm the chart's validity, enhancing flight safety and operational efficiency. The system may further integrate with other navigation tools to provide a comprehensive flight management solution.
16. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display system is embodied in one of an aircraft-based primary flight display (PFD) or an aircraft-based navigational display.
The invention relates to an aircraft-based display system designed to enhance situational awareness for pilots. The system addresses the challenge of presenting critical flight information in a clear and intuitive manner, particularly in primary flight displays (PFDs) and navigational displays used in aircraft. The display system includes a processor and a display screen that visually presents flight data, such as attitude, altitude, airspeed, and navigation information, to the pilot. The system dynamically adjusts the presentation of this data based on real-time flight conditions, ensuring that the most relevant information is prioritized and easily accessible. This adaptive display helps reduce pilot workload and minimizes the risk of information overload during critical phases of flight. The system may also incorporate additional features, such as terrain awareness, traffic collision avoidance, and weather data, to further support safe and efficient flight operations. By integrating these elements into a cohesive and user-friendly interface, the display system improves pilot decision-making and overall flight safety.
17. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display system is embodied in an electronic flight bag (EFB).
An electronic flight bag (EFB) is a portable computing device used in aviation to replace traditional paper-based flight documentation. A display system for an EFB includes a display screen and a processing unit that generates and presents flight-related information, such as navigation charts, weather data, and aircraft performance metrics. The display system may also integrate with onboard avionics to provide real-time flight data. The invention enhances the EFB by incorporating advanced display features, such as dynamic scaling of graphical elements, touch-sensitive controls, and adaptive brightness adjustments to improve visibility in varying lighting conditions. The system may also support multiple display modes, including split-screen views for simultaneous access to different flight information. Additionally, the display system can include input mechanisms like touchscreens, physical buttons, or voice commands to allow pilots to interact with the system efficiently. The invention aims to improve situational awareness and reduce pilot workload by providing a more intuitive and customizable display interface. The system may also include safety features, such as automatic alerts for critical flight conditions or system malfunctions, ensuring timely pilot response. By integrating these features into an EFB, the invention provides a comprehensive, user-friendly solution for modern aviation operations.
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November 12, 2021
June 4, 2024
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